Washington, DC — One Year Anniversary

February 2017

WTOP Newsradio reported that February 27, 2017 marked one year since the D.C. Streetcar began carrying passengers on the H Street/Benning Corridor. “It’s doing what we expect it to do, and we are really excited about it,” Terry Owens, spokesman with the District Department of Transportation told the station.

Over the year service was increased to include operation on Sundays in addition to Monday through Satruday. Owens said ridership also continues to grow, with the line carrying an average of 2,700 riders daily, and a cumulative 860,000 over the first year.

The line cost around $200 million and underwent two years of testing before passenger operation could start.

Currently no fares are charged and DDOT doesn’t expect to begin charging fares for at least four years as the line is extended.

“We think the system is already paying for itself — it’s provided a new transit option for people in this part of town; it has also spurred economic development along the H Street Corridor,” Owens said.

Extensions are planned at the eastern end of the line to Benning Road metro station and on the westernd end to Georgetown.